Gendered Disinformation of Female Politicians on Social Media in Kenya: A Case of Migori Republican Council Facebook Page

Abstract

The increase in information communication technologies (ICTs) has undoubtedly facilitated socio-economic and political progress, granting individuals a platform for expression and engagement. However, this increased connectivity has also given rise to disturbing phenomena such as stalking, abuse, intimidation, and humiliation. While the internet has provided a space for both men and women to voice their opinions, gendered disinformation on social media poses a significant threat to women’s rights across various domains, including politics, social interactions, and psychological well-being. Migori Republican Council (MRC) is the largest Facebook page that provides a forum for debates on the Migori County’s political, social and economic issues. Through a case study and analysis of content of the Facebook page collected through web scraping using rapid miner during the political campaigns for the Kenya’s 2022 General elections in the period spanning January to July 2022.The study revealed a landscape dominated by political debates and campaigns for both male and female politicians. However, campaigns targeting female politicians were marred by gendered slurs, focusing on their physical appearance, marital status, and roles as mothers. This form of gendered disinformation undermines women’s credibility and perpetuates harmful stereotypes, hindering their political participation and representation. To address the negative impact of gendered disinformation, the study advocates for public awareness campaigns to sensitize individuals, bloggers, and Facebook page administrators about the risks associated with harmful content on social media. Additionally, administrators should prioritize the formulation and enforcement of community guidelines that uphold human dignity and prohibit gender-based harassment. Gender training programs for bloggers and the public are essential to empower individuals to recognize and combat gendered disinformation effectively. The bloggers, Facebook administrators and the public should be equipped with digital media and information literacy competencies. Furthermore, the study recommends the development of lexicons for local languages spoken in Migori County to facilitate the identification and elimination of gendered disinformation. This localized approach acknowledges the cultural context and linguistic nuances inherent in combating online disinformation and ensures broader inclusivity in addressing gender-based issues on social media platforms.